Gore Twp proposal rejected again

Published 2:41 pm, Friday, April 22, 2016

GORE TWP — Voters in this township once again turned down a millage proposal to build a new township hall, and the margin between the “yes” and “no” votes grew substantially from last year.

According to unofficial results from the Huron County clerk’s office, 48 people voted no and 23 people voted yes. Last year, 33 voted yes and 37 voted no.

“I was disgusted,” said Dan Koglin, township supervisor. “A majority of people just don’t understand how their taxes work. That’s just my opinion. And it doesn’t help that people campaigned against (the proposal). I don’t know how they did it or why, but they did.”

The proposal asked for one mill for 20 years for the purpose of demolishing the current hall and constructing a new hall at the same site. The average cost for township property owners would be $32 per parcel per year, according to township officials.

Koglin said those who voted no likely were not fully informed.

“The ones who voted no I have never seen at a (township) meeting,” he said.

Earlier this year, Huron County Clerk Peggy Koehler came to a township meeting and explained the importance of the township having its own hall and having a place to hold elections. She said according to state law, a township needs to hold elections in its own precinct.

However, Gore Township has been using either Port Hope Community School or the Port Hope Fire Hall for its elections as of 2009. For the past decade, the township has been conducting its business meetings at the Port Hope Fire Hall.